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Local peace officer shares skills on mission

NEW EXPERIENCE – Dana Jones enjoys time with some children in Kenya during a recent mission trip to the country with Red Deer-based Home of Hope Ministries. Jones taught some self-defense courses during the mission as well.

A local peace officer has returned from a mission trip to Africa with a renewed sense of how one’s life can make a profound difference.

Dana Jones, a community peace officer with the Town of Penhold, recently returned from a two-week trip with the Red Deer-based Home Church (formerly Word of Life) to various projects connected to the church’s Home of Hope ministries.

The trip took the team to both Kenya and Rwanda, with a four-day stint in Kenya’s poverty-wracked capital of Nairobi.

Pastor Brian Thomson, who led the group, said there are some 26 slums throughout the city and surrounding area where many are forced to go and search for food everyday.

“Everyday was similar – we would feed hundreds of children and ask the pastor of the local area to find the 10 most desperate kids in the area within a 15 kilometer walk, and we delivered pigs and goats everyday we were in these rural areas.”
Tragically, unwanted babies are often left there as well – and Home of Hope staff work hard to rescue the infants and deliver them safely to their nearby orphanage.
As to this past trip, when Jones indicated she’d be interested in joining, Thomson was considering the ways she could specifically help out.
As a peace officer, Jones is quite experienced in self-defense, and it was decided she would spend part of the trip educating young women in ways to protect themselves.

“A lot of teenage girls live with the threat of rape everyday,” explains Thomson.

Jones ultimately taught hundreds of women ways to defend themselves, and it proved to be an extremely important and empowering experience for both students and teacher.

“The last class we had in Nairobi – that was actually one of the best classes,” recalled Jones. “At first they were hesitant with practicing the moves with each other.” But they soon became more engaged. Jones also taught the women about various pressure points which can injure or weaken an attacker.
“It also helped to teach these women that they have a right to defend themselves,” said Thomson. It’s critical in a culture where women are often treated poorly – like property. Jones said she noticed many women in Nairobi with seemingly very little confidence. “When I would talk to a class, I would say walk with your head up, like you know what you are doing.”
Having a bolder stance can help ward off unwanted advances as well. Perpetrators often don’t expect any kind of aggressive, proactive ‘fight back’ attitude.
Ultimately, Jones recalls the mission, which included many different activities such as working with youth and children and helping with feeding programs, as eye-opening on many levels.

“Even before I left, I didn’t feel fear. I didn’t feel like I was going to get hurt. I didn’t have any of that. I felt we were protected, no matter what,” she said. Other times, like when curious kids would excitedly approach her, proved to be moving moments as well. Something inside was sparked indeed. “It changed the way I see things big time. “It made me also realize that we have a lot of things others don’t have – it makes that statement real.”
There’s no hesitation when asked if she would ever return. “I’d go back. I actually want to go to the Congo,” she said, referring to the country that Home of Hope is working to make more inroads into. Thomson said the Congo is the ‘rape capital’ of the world. So it’s not only a fight against poverty, but against violence and pervasive abuse as well. Meanwhile, Jones found the trip to be a faith-building time as well.

“It strengthened my faith a lot, because it showed that you can make a difference – even having a little yourself, to offer it to someone else. Even though it can be something tiny to give, it can be something big to them – and it makes their world brighter.”
Several years ago, Home Church (formerly Word of Life) launched Home of Hope Rwanda which supports orphans by linking them with families. The ministry is now reaching 7,500 children, said Thomson.
Aside from the orphanage work, the ministry also educates people and provides job training.
As of September 2009, Home Church, under the direction of Thomson, assumed leadership of Home of Hope India as well.

Later on, staff extended their reach to Kenya. Home of Hope Kenya began the work of receiving orphans who were abandoned as babies or small children in a Nairobi garbage dump, local slums or other remote areas.

According to Home of Hope Kenya, Kenyan slums are among the poorest in the world. Some 1.5 million children are severely underweight and in 2009, an estimated two million people have HIV/AIDS. Some 2.5 million children are orphans and about 32% of the population is malnourished.

Currently, the ministry is constructing a building to house 90-plus rescued babies and abandoned children.
As the web site points out, this is not an orphanage – the goal is to move the children into loving Kenyan foster homes. The ministry is also at work in India, Rwanda, the Congo, Uganda and as of this year Nepal.

Home of Hope is a non-profit, non-biased Christian organization dedicated to empowering people within developing nations.

“Most people that go with me just love the trip,” said Thomson, who has been leading teams for seven years now. “Albertans are a wonderful, trained group of people who are a blessing anywhere.” Thomson said mission trips are designed with people’s particular skills in mind, so they are always rewarding experiences.
Locally, anyone interested in the Home of Hope projects can certainly help out, too.
Thomson said monetary donations are always welcome to assist with the ministry, plus folks can sponsor children in Kenya, Rwanda and India through Home of Hope. They also welcome people to offer their expertise, skills or resources to help out in Kenya, India, Rwanda or Canada.

As for Jones, it’s clear her life has changed. “In the end, this just made me realize that anything is possible. It may not come now, tomorrow or the next day – but anything is possible. You can really make a difference in other people’s lives, and your own life as well.”

Katherine Meadows (Red Deer, AB)

"I believe in Home of Hope. Their heart & passion is evident in all they do. I have seen it first hand. The founder, Brian Thomson is a man of character. In 11 years, he has never taken a salary and has fundraised for every trip he has taken to help others, simply so more money stays within the organization. He's the real deal and so is Home of Hope."

2019-02-13T15:51:00-06:00

"I believe in Home of Hope. Their heart & passion is evident in all they do. I have seen it first hand. The founder, Brian Thomson is a man of character. In 11 years, he has never taken a salary and has fundraised for every trip he has taken to help others, simply so more money stays within the organization. He's the real deal and so is Home of Hope."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/katherine-meadows-red-deer-ab/

Jeanette (Red Deer, AB) says:

"HOH is an incredible non-profit organization making huge changes for children... Very little funding received is used for administrative, ensuring nearly every dollar donated goes directly to those in need. Although they are located in Red Deer, donations can be accepted internationally. Proud to support them and I encourage you to check them out."

2016-12-20T08:45:08-06:00

"HOH is an incredible non-profit organization making huge changes for children... Very little funding received is used for administrative, ensuring nearly every dollar donated goes directly to those in need. Although they are located in Red Deer, donations can be accepted internationally. Proud to support them and I encourage you to check them out."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/jeanette-red-deer-ab-says/

Sarah (Red Deer, AB) says:

This is a wonderful organization! They work diligently to ensure that every penny possible gets into the hands of the people who need it most!

2016-12-20T08:43:57-06:00

This is a wonderful organization! They work diligently to ensure that every penny possible gets into the hands of the people who need it most!

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/sarah-red-deer-ab-says/

Serena (Red Deer, AB) says:

"I love donating to Home of Hope knowing my money is used to make such a difference in the lives of children all across the planet. Brian, Karissa and the whole team are kind, honest genuine and so caring. Hope of Hope changes lives! You can feel confident that your money is doing good in the world when you donate the Home of Hope!"

2016-12-20T08:42:22-06:00

"I love donating to Home of Hope knowing my money is used to make such a difference in the lives of children all across the planet. Brian, Karissa and the whole team are kind, honest genuine and so caring. Hope of Hope changes lives! You can feel confident that your money is doing good in the world when you donate the Home of Hope!"

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/serena/

Jessica (Colorado, US) says:

"The integrity of the organization makes the world a better place and strives to represent the heart of God by feeding and loving on His children. I saw firsthand, during my trip to Rwanda, the impact that sponsorship has on the life of a child, the child's family, the community, and the giver. This impact will change nations! I am so blessed to have been a part of Home of Hope."

2016-12-19T15:40:56-06:00

"The integrity of the organization makes the world a better place and strives to represent the heart of God by feeding and loving on His children. I saw firsthand, during my trip to Rwanda, the impact that sponsorship has on the life of a child, the child's family, the community, and the giver. This impact will change nations! I am so blessed to have been a part of Home of Hope."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/1762/

JD (Leduc, AB) says:

"When I raised money to bless my sponsor child's family at Christmas, I received a prompt reply that stated an exact breakdown of how my money was spent to bless that family. I trust Home of Hope with my money because they have proven their integrity and competency."

2016-12-19T15:40:32-06:00

"When I raised money to bless my sponsor child's family at Christmas, I received a prompt reply that stated an exact breakdown of how my money was spent to bless that family. I trust Home of Hope with my money because they have proven their integrity and competency."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/1761/

Gerard & Gloria (Red Deer, AB) say:

"A couple years ago we sponsored our first child, Joseph. He had some medical issues, but with the love and care of the Home of Hope caregivers, he is happy and in good health today."

2016-12-19T15:39:49-06:00

"A couple years ago we sponsored our first child, Joseph. He had some medical issues, but with the love and care of the Home of Hope caregivers, he is happy and in good health today."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/1760/

Duane (Red Deer, AB) says:

"This a great organization... they are doing a fantastic job. I have worked and traveled with many of their key leaders and seen first-hand the effect they have on communities."

2016-12-19T15:39:25-06:00

"This a great organization... they are doing a fantastic job. I have worked and traveled with many of their key leaders and seen first-hand the effect they have on communities."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/1759/

Peter (Red Deer, AB) says:

"I donate to HOH because I've seen the difference that the donations make in people's lives. I've held babies in my arms in Kenya who have been thrown away by their mothers. They are alive and well today because of donations to HOH. I have also seen the positive impact that the microloan program has had on people's lives thanks to generous donations to HOH."

2016-12-19T15:38:40-06:00

"I donate to HOH because I've seen the difference that the donations make in people's lives. I've held babies in my arms in Kenya who have been thrown away by their mothers. They are alive and well today because of donations to HOH. I have also seen the positive impact that the microloan program has had on people's lives thanks to generous donations to HOH."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/1758/

Tricia (Edmonton, AB) says:

"I have seen first hand what HOH does. They are an organization that is full of integrity, use money wisely and truly makes a lasting impact. Partnering with HOH has helped me make a big difference in the life of a beautiful young girl and her family. I started sponsoring in her in 2009 and have even had the opportunity to meet and love on her in person. The small sacrifice I make each month in sponsorship is nothing compared to what I get in return."

2016-12-19T15:37:33-06:00

"I have seen first hand what HOH does. They are an organization that is full of integrity, use money wisely and truly makes a lasting impact. Partnering with HOH has helped me make a big difference in the life of a beautiful young girl and her family. I started sponsoring in her in 2009 and have even had the opportunity to meet and love on her in person. The small sacrifice I make each month in sponsorship is nothing compared to what I get in return."

https://homeofhope.ca/testimonials/1757/

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Home of Hope is a project of HOME Church (formerly Word of Life Centre Church & Ministries in Red Deer, Alberta)